Andrew Forrest’s Indo Pacific Rugby competition (IPR) has been given the tick by the Asia Rugby Council on Tuesday.
The 31 representatives of Rugby Asia voted to endorse the competition, which is slated to run in February to April 2019.
“We are thrilled to be working with Aga and his team, as we share the same vision: grow the rugby family throughout the Indo Pacific by promoting the values and collegiality of rugby and creating a new innovative product on, and off, the field,” he said.
Former Wallabies captain Michael Lynagh is on board as an ambassador for the competition and said it would be valuable on a number of fronts.
“The IPRC is more than an exciting new club rugby competition,” he said.
“It is a platform to develop government, business and community relationships throughout the Indo Pacific region.”
The competition is still yet to receive World Rugby endorsement, while the availability of Australian Test players is unclear, with the inaugural competition to collide with Super Rugby.
IPR says the competition will have 10 rounds with a top four finals series, with an elite talent pool to be created, with players divided up to different clubs.
